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Lum and Lumm Families of America

The surname Lum is quite rare in the United States -- and made rarer because it is often spelled in different ways, such as Lumm and Lumb. Fancy script for the capital L has even been mistranscribed as an S, resulting in "Summ"! (And there are other variations such as "Lunn," which complicates things by being also a separate surname in its own right.)

Lum is a Germanic name found among 19th-century immigrants from countries ranging from Norway to Germany to England. Edward H. Lum, in his 1927 book Genealogy of the Lum Family, provides some meanings of the name, including a deep wooded valley, ravine, or wood grove; or a deep pool in a riverbed. In Celtic areas such as Scotland and Ireland, it meant chimney or smoke vent, and in the Shetland Islands a rift or opening in the sky as the fog clears; but these are of different linguistic groups and mere coincidence, probably of no importance to the surname. (And then there's also the Chinese surname Lum, introduced to this country from the West Coast after the California Gold Rush. This page doesn't deal with that clearly unrelated group at all.)

An early family of the name was among the 17th-century settlers of "New Sweden" in the Delaware River Valley, from which may have come some of those branches living in Maryland and Virginia who are the forebears of numerous Midwestern Lumm and Lum families, including the one with which I am connected. But equally possible is that these descend from an English family that settled in Connecticut, Long Island, and northern New Jersey. Their immigrant ancestor was John Lum, in Stamford, CT, in 1642. The descendants of this John Lum are covered in Edward Lum's 1927 book, plus a 1993 update by Richard Lum bearing the same title. (For this reason, I'm not devoting much space to the northeastern Lums.) Among them, one Samuel Lum apparently moved from northern New Jersey to North Carolina and his sons William and Jesse started a Southern line in Natchez, Mississippi, which spread to Louisiana and Texas.

I first came across the Lumm surname when I found a marriage record for a great-great-great grandmother's parents. James Fowler married Nancy Lumm on 16 Sept. 1830 in Columbiana County, Ohio. (For details on the Fowlers, see my Fowler web page. Checking the 1830 Ohio census for the county, I did not find the couple as a separate household, but found James' father, also James Fowler--and also two others of the surname Lumm: Jesse and James. As James was only a few years older than Nancy, I suspected that Jesse was their father. But I had no proof. Still don't, in fact--only the circumstantial evidence of their 1830 proximity, plus the fact that in the 1850 census Nancy said she was born in Virginia--which, I later learned, was where Jesse was from.

My breakthrough on this line came with GenForum's Lum Family Forum, where I found a posting from Michelle Martens of Iowa regarding Jesse Lumm. She had already done considerable work looking for details about Jesse and his probable family in the 19th century Midwest, including looking up Census records. We have corresponded for the past several months and I have tried to follow up on her leads through the LDS Family History Library here in Salt Lake City -- but the results are still quite scanty. Michelle had the idea of starting an online list or web page devoted to the Lumm family, and this led to my creation of a Lum/Lumm web page via GeoCities. (That's where much of my data on the Midwestern families and U.S. Census records reside.) Now I'm creating this second site through Rootsweb, hoping to get more traffic from other Lumm descendants. If we can pool our resources we may, with luck, get to "the root of Jesse," so to speak. If you have the Lumm surname, and especially if they lived in the Mid-Atlantic seaboard or the Midwest, we would like to hear from you. Contact either Michelle Martens at Mjmartens@aol.com, or me, Ken Rockwell at: krockwel@library.utah.edu

I'm also curious about the Southern Lum line which came out of the Carolinas and settled at Nachez, Mississippi, when that area was still called British West Florida. This line, which spread to Louisiana and Texas, included a number of Jesse Lumms over the years as well, although nothing guarantees any close relationship to my Jesse.

Anyway, let's hear from you. Anyone who wishes to contribute data on Lums and Lumms in the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, or South is welcome to, and I will give them due credit as the contributor of the data. (For the sake of privacy, though, I won't include vital dates on living individuals.)

Early Lums of the Mid-Atlantic Colonies

The following is a selection of records from the Middle Atlantic region, esp. Virginia and Maryland, with probable connections to my Jesse Lumm line. They are roughly chronological. For more records, see the larger Mid-Atlantic file at Geocities

From p. 224-229 of GENEALOGY of the LUM FAMILY., by Edward H. Lum, 1927:
[No.]557 SAMUEL LUM

On p.38 of St. Stephen's Parish, Cecil Co., Md., the names of children of Samuel and Ann Lum are given as follows:

[No.]558 SAMUEL LUM md. Sarah ------, and had following children (and possibly others):

[No.]559 JOHN LUM

He was a ship builder in Northern Liberties, East part of Phila.; member of Christ Church, Second Street, above Market. He was buried at Christ Church; in assessor's list, 1769 and 1774, "no property;" widow Hannah, in assessor's list Upper Delaware Ward, Phila., 1780, "no property." She is in Federal Census of 1790 at Phila. John Lum built the "Water Witch" and other ships for Stephen Girard. The children of John and Hannah Lum were:

[No.]560 MICHAEL LUM

He was probably the son of Samuel and Anna (see No. 557). He was born Jan. 9, 1718, d. June 29, 1756. St. Mary Ann's Parish, Cecil Co., Md. Register gives his marriage and births of his children, deaths of some, and his own death. In Aug., 1739 he was a Fort Soldier, a trooper under command of Capt. Thomas Johnson. His will dated June 4, 1755, prob. Cecil Co., Md., Aug. 12, 1756, names wife Mary, sons Jacob and Michael, daus. Rebecca, Mary and Rachel. His wife, Mary Makenne, whome he married July 9, 1739, was born Aug. 16, 1720. Her will probated Feb. 19, 1770, names daus. Rebecca Manley and Mary Lum and sons Michael and Jacob. In book of deeds for Cecil Co., Md., No. 8, page 116, is deed dated Mch. 16, 1754, made by Michael Lum and Mary, his wife, Peter Boyer and Esther, his wife, in which they release part of "Lum's Venture" to Johannes Arrants, land beginning at lands belonging to John Lum; also a deed of same date or quit-claim of Michael Lum and Mary, his wife, Johannes Arrants and Elizabeth, his wife, to Peter Boyer, beginning west line of "Lum's Venture," part of Stony Range; also quit-claim deed of same date from the Arrants and Boyers to Michael Lum for land where he now lives in St. John's Manor, adjoining said Arrants. There is a mortgage in Book 8, page 158, dated June 6, 1754, from George Rock to Michael Lum, et al., on property at head of North East River, Cecil Co., Md. In book 6, page 443, is lease dated Mch. 15, 1744, of land by Thomas Hitcock to Michael Lum, Planter, of Cecil Co., 99 acres in Elk River and Main Road, 22 years, consideration one ear Indian (i.e. Corn). The childeren of Michael and Mary (Makenne) Lum:

  • I. Ann, b. Feb. 1, 1740/1, d. Nov. 17, 1743
  • II. Elizabeth, b. July 22, 1743, d. 1748
  • III. Rebecca, b. Feb. 8, 1745, d. Sept. 27, 1799 (no.561)
  • IV. Jacob, b. Aug. 1748, d. Apl. 3, 1829 (no.562)
  • V. Isaac, b. Aug. 1, 1748, d. Oct. 5, 1748
  • VI. Michael, b. Mch. 7, 1750, d. ----. (no. 563)
  • VII. Mary, b. July 27, 1753, d. July 18, 1793.
  • VIII. Rachel, b. Mch. 21, 1755, d. aet. 6 mos.

    [No.]561 REBECCA LUM md. Dec. 15, 1768, Jacob Manley, whose will dated Nov. 2, 1792, prob. Dec. 1794, names wife Rebecca, sons Jacob and William, daus. Elizabeth, Sarah and Rachel. Rebecca Manley's will dated Jan. 6, 1798, prob. Oct. 18, 1799, Cecil Co., Md., names eldest son William, daus. Elizabeth, Sarah and Rachel Manley, and youngest son Jacob. The children were:

    • I. William Manley.
    • II. Elizabeth Manley.
    • III. Sarah Manley.
    • IV. Rachel Manley.
    • V. Jacob Manley.

    [No.]562 JACOB LUM md. Dec. 20, 1770, Rachel -----, who was born Sept. 4, 1751, and died July 17, 1826. She was probably a Hyland. On Oct. 19, 1789, Jacob Lum, yeoman, and Rachel, his wife, sell part of a tract called Hyland's Discovery in Elk River. On Feb. 27, 1783, Jacob Lum and others give bond for 16,000 lbs. for faithful performance of duty by Jacob Lum, as Collector of Taxes of Cecil Co., Md. On Sept. 5, 1796, Jacob Lum sells 315 1/2 acres received from his father Michael, by will in St. John's Manor, known as Lum's Venture. On July 31, 1802, Jacob Lum gives bill of sale in Cecil Co. to Sampson G. Hyland, John and Isaac Lum. Nov. 1, 1803, Jacob Lum assigns for benefit of creditors to John Short, Cecil Co. On Mch. 17, 1797, Jacob Lum sells negro boy "Ben" 17/18 yrs. old to Edward Wingate for 125 lbs. On June 27, 1777, it was ordered by Council of Maryland that the Western Shore Treasurer pay Jacob Lum four lbs. seven sh. and six d. on account of work building barracks, and on Apl. 21, 1778, he was commissioned an Ensign, and on Sept. 9, 1778, he held commission of 2nd Lieutenant in Elk Batallion of Militia of Cecil Co., Md. The children of Jacob and Rachel Lum were:

    • I. John, b. Oct. 26, 1771, d. Apl. 1, 1823. [no.564]
    • II. Isaac, b. Nov. 6, 1773, d. May 9, 1819. [no.565]
    • III. Michael, b. Nov. 11, 1775, d. Dec. 1775.
    • IV. Jacob, b. May 2, 1777, d. Apl., 1818. [no.566]
    • V. Michael, 2nd., b. Mch. 6, 1778, d. Jan. 30, 1780.
    • VI. Ann, b. Dec. 4, 1780, d. 1782.
    • VII. Edward, b. Sept. 24, 1782, d. July 14, 1810.
    • VIII. A boy, b. Apl. 19, 1784.
    • IX. A girl, b. Apl. 19, 1784. Died in a few days.
    • X. Millicent, b. Mch. 28, 1786, d. Feb. 7, 1864. [no.567]
    • XI. Julia, b. July 30, 1787, d. Mch. 6, 1818. Md. ------ Richardson; settled in Delaware.
    • XII. Hyland, b. July 19, 1790.
    • XIII. Elizabeth, b. Dec. 30, 1793, d. July, 1852.

    Ancestral File (LDS database)
    Jonas Lum, b. 10 June 1710 in Cecil County, Maryland. The Ancestral File identifies Samuel Lum as the father, which is interesting since Samuel also had a son name John who had a son name Jesse b. 1777 Philadelphia, PA. This may mean nothing (re Jesse Lumm b. 1764) but it is a possible lead.

    Jonas LUM m. Mary Massey in Cecil Co., MD; they may have migrated west and be the same ones who appears in the following citation:

    Col. James Wood's Fee Book, Frederick Co. VA , 1744

    • Jonas Lum 88 lbs of Tobacco;
    • Mary Lum 150 lbs of Tobacco

    Frederick Co.,VA, Mixed Probate Index, Vol. 1-4 1743-1858, LDS Film #0031361
    Jonas LUM, deceased pre 07 March 1744, Mary LUM, Administratrix, Will Book 1, p. 41.

    Pursuant to an order of Court for us the subscribers to appraise the Estate of Jonas Lum Dated and In Obedience to the same, we have met and Being sworn have Valued the same as follows:

    • To 3 Cows...................2 Cows...............6.00
    • To 2 Heifers..................20.....................2.00
    • To 1 Bed & 2 Blankets & Bed Head.........3.00
    • To 1 Pairing Mair....................................6.00
    • To 1 Suit of Cloaths & 1 pair of Trousers...2.12
    • To 1 Old Wheel.......................................0.80
    • To 1 Box From of Heston?........................0.80
    • To 2 Old Axes & 1 old Drawing Knife.........0.70
    • To a parcel of old wooden Lumber.............0.40
    • To some Pawher?....................................0.50
    • To 1 old Frying Pan..................................0.70
    • To 1 From Poll & Hookes..........................0.50
    • To 2 Sows & a parcel of shoah?................2.20
    • To 4 other hogges....................................2.00
    • To 1 old Square........................................0.06
    Margires Calmer
    Meredith Helm
    John Hardin

    At a Court Continued & held for Frederick County on Thursday the 7th Day of March 1744

    This Inventory of the Estate of Jonas Lum Deceased being presented into Court by Mary Lum Administratix of the Estate of the said Deceased which is admitted to Record.

    Frederick Co., Virginia Wills Inventory, Administration by King, pg. 5:
    Jonas Lum Administration of estate by Mary Lum with James Hill and John Neale, securities. Nov 9, 1749. [NOTE: "It would probably be a fair guess to say Mary Lum and Nicholas Osburne were not married yet or she would be using her new married name."--Michelle Martens. This is assuming that Mary Massey did marry Osburne. But William G. Matthias suggests, rather, that Nicholas' wife was born Mary Clowes, who also married a Lum. See below for further on Clowes-Osburne.]

    Reconstructed census for VA 1740: John Lum, Northampton Co.

    Index of Pioneers [contributed by Nora Rinehart]
    - "At the Courthouse in Philadelphia on Nov. 20th 1741 before Ralph Assheton, Esq. the Palatines whose names are underwritten, imported in the Ship EUROPA (Capt. Lumsdaine) late Master did this day take the Oaths to the Government." Among the names is Andreas (X)Lann, which the index had under Lumm.

    Encyclopedia Of American Quaker Genealogy: Virginia
    Loudoun Co. VA: Mary (now Lum) reported married out of unity 30-5-1761 disowned 25-7-1761
    [This Mary was Mary Clowes or Clewes, daughter of a Thomas. If this Thomas is the Thomas Clews who wrote his will on 31 July 1784 (probated 13 Aug. 1784), he does not mention Mary. But he mentions daughter Sarah Gore, wife of Joshua Gore. See next entry.]

    Loudoun Co. Court Order Book, 1762-65 Loudoun Co. Court 15th of April 1763, Page 113: Joshua Gore, Plt. agt. Jesse Lum, Deft. Upon Attatchment This suit is dismissed and it is ordered that the Deft. pay unto Plt. his costs. [In 1763 Joshua Gore, Jr. was a lieutenant in the Loudoun Co. Militia.]

    Loudoun Co., Virginia Clerk's fee Book 1764, Page 50. June 1764. Thomas Triplett, Fairfax Co. ... appeared as a Garnish for Jesse Lum 15...Dr. 25 [pounds] (*Garnish means fees paid by a prisoner upon entering jail. Garnishee as to attach a man's wages or his property in order to recover debt. Obviously this Jesse Lum is not the one b. in 1764 and later moving to Columbiana Co. OH...but perhaps his father, or an uncle?)

    "Abstracts of Rev. War Pension Files"
    LUMM, Jesse, S8872, VA Line, sol was b 12 May 1764 in NC, sol stated he never knew his father & that his mother moved to Loudoun Co VA when he was an infant & he stated his grandfather lived there during the Rev, sol lived in Loudoun Co VA at enl & in 1818 he moved to Columbian Co. OH of 14 yrs then moved to Allegheny Co PA for 2 yrs then to Beaver Co PA where he appl 19 Nov 1835
    [See transcription of the pension application]

    Possible surname connections? Michelle Martens observes:"On the 1787 tax list for Jesse Lumm [who went to Columbiana Co., OH], where Ann Peyton is charged with the tax, well Peyton was once a WEST. This is odd because the Joseph Lumm and Adam Lumm in 1800 Frederick Co., MD, have the middle names WEST! Also, there is a Thomas Triplett who lived around Loudoun and Fairfax whose wife's last name was suppose to be HAMPTON!!!! That is my Mortomer's middle name."

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